14 April 2026  "Marilyn, Forever Inspiring: A Curated Tribute for the 100th Birthday of the First Pop Icon" will be on view from 18 May to 6 September 2026 at the Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens, Austria. The special exhibition marks the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe and is presented within the Wunderkammer The Art of Performance. Why Marilyn Monroe still fascinatesMarilyn Monroe remains one of the most enduring figures in film history. Her appeal lies in a striking duality: she combined the image of a glamorous sex symbol with a sense of vulnerability that made her appear both distant and relatable. As an actress, she was widely recognized for her comic timing and screen presence. Among her best-known films are Some Like It Hot, The Seven Year Itch, How to Marry a Millionaire and The Misfits, often considered her strongest dramatic performance. Her musical performances also became part of cinema history. The number "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes stands out as one of the most iconic scenes in film. Its visual language and choreography have influenced later performers, including Madonna, who reinterpreted the sequence in her own work.The myth and its visual languageThe "Marilyn Monroe myth" is closely linked to a distinctive visual style: platinum blonde hair, red lips, figure-hugging silhouettes and a carefully staged mix of innocence and confidence. This aesthetic became a shorthand for Hollywood glamour and continues to be referenced in contemporary pop culture. Artists such as Madonna and Lady Gaga have repeatedly cited this look, using it to evoke themes of femininity, power and performance. The style functions as a cultural code that instantly signals both allure and self-awareness, reflecting Monroe's own play with her public image.Swarovski, Hollywood and costume designSwarovski has played a significant role in Hollywood costume design since the early 20th century, when its crystals were first adopted by Parisian couture houses and later by film studios. Crystals offered a visual advantage on camera, reflecting light more effectively than real gemstones under studio conditions. Marilyn Monroe herself was associated with this tradition. Her famous 1962 "Happy Birthday" dress, designed by Jean Louis, was covered with thousands of crystals, creating a shimmering "second skin" effect. In film productions, costume designer William Travilla, who worked closely with Monroe, frequently used crystal embellishments to enhance her on-screen presence.The exhibition and the collectorThe upcoming exhibition features garments, shoes, jewelry, beauty items, photographs and personal objects that illustrate Monroe's life and career. A specially composed soundtrack with original songs and music inspired by Monroe accompanies the presentation. The show is realized in collaboration with Ted Stampfer, a German collector who owns the largest publicly accessible private collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, comprising more than 1,500 items. He has curated exhibitions worldwide and provides detailed insight into the provenance of his objects through his website, including auction sources and catalogues such as the 2021 publication for the Swarovski Wunderkammer. In the press statement for the upcoming special exhibition, Stampfer emphasizes that an authentic understanding of Monroe can best be achieved through her personal belongings. He notes that the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience these objects as direct traces of her life.The exhibition experience in Wattens is further complemented by a photo spot designed like a classic Old Hollywood dressing table, where visitors can take selfies or be photographed while posing in a style inspired by Marilyn Monroe's iconic screen presence. Images, from left: An exhibition featuring Marilyn Monroe's personal belongings, including shoes and jewelry. Right: Collector and curator Ted Stampfer standing between two mannequins at Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens, Tyrol, Austria. Photos: © Swarovski Kristallwelten |